Mexican Lasagna

Mexican Lasagna is a flavorful twist on the traditional Italian dish, combining layers of seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and cheese between flour tortillas, all topped with enchilada sauce and baked to perfection. This dish is hearty, comforting, and bursting with Mexican flavors. It’s perfect for a family dinner or for entertaining guests, as it’s easy to prepare and can feed a crowd.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 small yellow onion, grated or finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon New Mexico chile powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups frozen sweet corn
• 1 (4 oz) can fire roasted diced green chiles
• 1 (10 oz) can enchilada sauce (or homemade enchilada sauce)
• 12 8-inch large flour tortillas
• 8 ounces Pepperjack cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces Colby Jack cheese, shredded
• 6 oz can sliced olives, drained
• 2 scallions, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Cook Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle olive oil and add ground beef, onion, smoked paprika, cumin, New Mexico chile powder, salt, and black pepper. Brown the beef for about 5-7 minutes. Add diced tomatoes, black beans, and sweet corn. Stir to combine and allow to cook while preparing the baking pan.
3. Prepare Baking Pan: Smooth about 1/3 of the enchilada sauce over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan. Arrange tortillas on the bottom of the pan, slightly overlapping until the bottom is covered (about 4 tortillas).
4. Layer Ingredients: Spoon half of the beef mixture over the tortillas, spreading it evenly. Layer another set of tortillas on top of the beef mixture. Smooth about 1/3 of the enchilada sauce over the tortillas. Sprinkle half of each cheese over the sauce. Scatter the diced green chiles over the cheese. Add the remaining beef mixture on top, spreading it evenly. Layer the remaining tortillas on top of the beef mixture. Spoon the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Garnish with olives and chopped scallions.
5. Bake: Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the lasagna is heated through.
6. Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top. Serve hot and enjoy the delicious flavors of this Mexican-inspired lasagna!

Tips:

• Customize Ingredients: Feel free to customize the ingredients to suit your taste preferences. You can add diced bell peppers, jalapeños, or other vegetables for extra flavor and texture.
• Make Ahead: You can assemble the lasagna ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Just make sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.
• Serve with Garnishes: Serve the Mexican lasagna with garnishes like chopped cilantro, diced avocado, sour cream, or salsa for added freshness and flavor.